Unit rationale, description and aim

This unit examines the intricate relationship between individuals and society, exploring how personal experiences are shaped by and contribute to broader social structures. It introduces students to the key concepts and tools needed to understand the world around them. By addressing topics such as social structures, diversity, inequality, artificial intelligence, climate change, and other contemporary issues, this unit equips students with the knowledge to critically analyse the forces shaping modern society and their role within it. Students will explore how core sociological theories and perspectives can be applied to pressing real-world challenges such as the changing world of work, rise of artificial intelligence, war, gender relations, climate change, and global inequality. The curriculum integrates principles of Catholic Social Thought and emphasises Indigenous perspectives, encouraging students to adopt ethical and inclusive approaches to societal analysis. The aim of this unit is to empower students to understand the complexities of the social world by applying academic theories to real-world challenges. By connecting their own experiences with broader global trends, students will gain the tools to navigate modern challenges with confidence, insight, and a commitment to positive social impact.

2026 10

Campus offering

No unit offerings are currently available for this unit.

Prerequisites

Nil

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

Describe how a personal experience or event relate...

Learning Outcome 01

Describe how a personal experience or event relates to broader social structures and processes using the sociological imagination
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC3, GC6, GC7

Explain key sociological concepts with clarity, us...

Learning Outcome 02

Explain key sociological concepts with clarity, using contextually appropriate terminology in written, visual, and digital formats
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC1, GC9, GC10, GC11

Identify sociological theories that apply to conte...

Learning Outcome 03

Identify sociological theories that apply to contemporary societal challenges
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC5, GC6, GC7

Evaluate societal challenges within real-world exa...

Learning Outcome 04

Evaluate societal challenges within real-world examples
Relevant Graduate Capabilities: GC2, GC6, GC8

Content

Topics will include: 

  • The sociological imagination
  • Community and society
  • Foundational theories: functionalism, conflict theory, symbolic interactionism, social constructionism, feminist theory
  • Work and leisure in modern life
  • Families and relationships
  • Australian indigenous culture
  • Multiculturalism and diversity
  • Race and ethnicity
  • Social inequalities
  • Contemporary issues such as the rise of AI, climate change and social justice movements.

Assessment strategy and rationale

The assessment tasks are designed to prepare students for assessments typical of undergraduate humanities and social science courses, as well as those in the Core Curriculum.

The first task focuses on reflection, introducing students to foundational sociological concepts by encouraging them to connect personal experiences to broader societal forces through the sociological imagination. This task helps students build a strong understanding of the unit's core themes. The second task builds on this foundation, requiring students to work collaboratively to synthesise and interpret sociological concepts by creating an infographic or poster. By presenting their work in a short oral presentation, students develop both analytical and communication skills while linking theoretical knowledge to contemporary societal challenges. The final task integrates the knowledge and skills gained throughout the unit, asking students to critically analyse a societal challenge and propose actionable solutions in a digital format such as a video or podcast. This task emphasises higher-order thinking by requiring students to evaluate complex ideas, apply sociological theories, and present well-reasoned, practical responses to real-world issues.

This progressive structure ensures that students build confidence and competency as they advance through the unit, while also developing key skills for further study.

Overview of assessments

Assessment 1: Short reflection task Students wi...

Assessment 1: Short reflection task

Students will write a reflection on an event, incident, or activity in their life that changed how they see a societal issue, using the sociological imagination to show how it connects to wider social forces. 

Weighting

20%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO2
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC3, GC6, GC7, GC9, GC10, GC11

Assessment 2: Infographic/Poster presentation S...

Assessment 2: Infographic/Poster presentation

Students will create and present a 1-page infographic or poster on a contemporary societal challenge, analysing its historical roots and impact on both individuals and society. The issue should be examined through a sociological lens, applying at least one theory discussed in class. 

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO2, LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9, GC10, GC11

Assessment 3: Action plan for social change Stu...

Assessment 3: Action plan for social change

Students will create a video recording or podcast proposing an action plan furthering their research completed in Assessment 2. The plan should describe the issue briefly and suggest practical solutions at both individual and societal levels. Existing case studies of proposed solutions should be used to explain and support the ideas.

Weighting

40%

Learning Outcomes LO1, LO3, LO4
Graduate Capabilities GC1, GC2, GC3, GC5, GC6, GC7, GC8, GC9

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

This unit equips students with the tools to understand and engage with the complexities of the world around them. Students will critically examine key societal issues, including inequality, diversity, globalisation, artificial intelligence, and climate change, exploring their real-world impacts across the individual, societal and global level.

Each class begins with a teacher-led introduction to the weekly topic, followed by student-led discussions, where students critically examine the topic through the lens of current events, personal experiences, and sociological case studies. Students from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to connect academic theories with their own lived experiences, making the content more relatable and impactful. This process not only enhances their academic skills but also helps them recognise patterns and forces in everyday life, from understanding social movements to the influence of economic and cultural shifts.

This approach fosters critical thinking and helps students identify the forces shaping society, from cultural shifts to social movements and economic change. By the end of this unit, students will better understand their place in the world and how they can contribute to shaping its future. This unit not only introduces sociology but also empowers students to navigate and make sense of an interconnected and dynamic world.

Representative texts and references

Representative texts and references

Conerly, T. R., Holmes, K., & Tamang, A. L. (2021). Introduction to sociology 3e. OpenStax. https://openstax.org/details/books/introduction-sociology-3e/

Everyday Sociology Blog. (2025). Exploring sociology in everyday life. https://www.everydaysociologyblog.com

Germov, J., & Poole, M. (Eds.). (2023). Public sociology: An introduction to Australian society (5th ed.). Routledge.

Mills, C. W. (1959). The sociological imagination. Oxford University Press.

Petray, T., Osbaldiston, N., James Cook University, issuing body, & Council of Australian University Librarians. Open Educational Resources Collective, sponsoring body. (2023). Exploring sociology in the Antipodes: Introduction to sociology (1st Australian edition.). James Cook University.

Plummer, K. (2022). Sociology: The basics (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003158318

Scott, J., & Marshall, G. (2022). Essential concepts in sociology (3rd ed.). Wiley.

The Conversation. (2025). Sociology section. https://theconversation.com/au

The Sociological Review. (2025). Sociological insights and debates. https://www.thesociologicalreview.com

Locations
Credit points
Year

Have a question?

We're available 9am–5pm AEDT,
Monday to Friday

If you’ve got a question, our AskACU team has you covered. You can search FAQs, text us, email, live chat, call – whatever works for you.

Live chat with us now

Chat to our team for real-time
answers to your questions.

Launch live chat

Visit our FAQs page

Find answers to some commonly
asked questions.

See our FAQs